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RACS ASC 2024

A review of finger replantation outcomes - lessons from a single tertiary centre.

Poster

Poster

Disciplines

Hand Surgery

Presentation Description

Institution: Te Whatu Ora - Cantebury , Aotearoa New Zealand

Purpose: Traumatic finger amputation is managed with finger replantation or revision amputation. Multiple previous studies have evaluated the clinical outcomes associated with finger replantation. Success rates in previous meta-analysis range from 66-91% dependent on mechanism of injury, smoking status, comorbidities such as diabetes, which digit is replanted and ischemia time (1, 2). Methodology: Retrospective audit of traumatic finger amputations that underwent replantation at Christchurch hospital from January 2018 to December 2022 was performed. The main outcome was replant survival rate. Secondary outcomes included length of hospital stay, and other complications. Results: A total of 16 fingers were replanted in the five years audited. The success rate was 9/16 (56%). The complication free rate was 6/16 (37.5%). Average length of hospital stay was 5.9 days. Average time from injury to surgery start was 5 hours and 38 minutes (cold ischaemic time). The injury occurred >1 hour from tertiary hand surgery service in 6 patients. The mechanism of injury was a log splitter in 9 patients and a variety of mechanical saw in 5 patients. Conclusion: There were relatively few finger replants attempted at Christchurch Hospital over five years. The survival rate at our centre was lower than the reported rates in previous meta-analysis. Multiple patient, injury and surgical factors are likely contributors to success rates at our centre. References: 1. Dec W. A meta-analysis of success rates for digit replantation. Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg. 2006;10(3):124-9. 2. Bregman D, Nicholson L. Indications for replantation and factors that predict success. European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology. 2023.

Speakers

Authors

Authors

Dr Kelsey Ireland - , Dr Blair York -